Enhancing Conservation and Recreation at the Palmer Woods Forest Reserve
There’s something growing at Palmer Woods.

We’re thrilled to announce we’ve reached the ambitious goal of raising $3.5 million in the Palmer Woods 1000-Acre Project! Thanks to the generous support of over 300 donors, Palmer Woods will soon be 1,070 acres for the benefit of the natural world and outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you!
The Palmer Woods 1000-Acre Project funds will purchase a 350-acre addition to the Palmer Woods Forest Reserve and will expand the trail system up to 40 miles. We expect to acquire the addition in 2020 and are currently creating plans for expanding hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking trails.
Permanently conserving the 350-acre addition will protect more of a thriving wildlife corridor and expand the border with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to 5 miles. The landscape-scale conservation helps ensure that groundwater-fed Glen Lake and Good Harbor Bay remain healthy and allows the northern hardwood forest to continue to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration. When the expanded trail system is complete, Palmer Woods will offer up to 40 miles of four-season recreational opportunities for hikers, cross-country skiers, and mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.
Please stay tuned to our weekly e-newsletter and social media for updates about when you can access the proposed addition and details about when new trails will be open. We are looking forward to sharing this beautiful property with you!
Thank you to our lead donors:
Thank you to our lead donors:
Brad Anderson
William C. and Vicki Anderson
Mr. and Mrs. Emil Brolick
The Brookby Foundation
The Carls Foundation
David M. and Cara V. Cassard
Cherry Republic
Richard and Carolyn Chormann
Hayward and Kathy Draper
Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation
Gina and John Erb
The Finnegan Family
Mrs. Sue Frank
Dan and Magee Gordon
Enid and Rick Grauer
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Jones
Mr. Ron Lovasz
Mariel Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Martineau
John Murphey & Marcie Meditch
The Oleson Foundation
Jan and Ray Pezzi
Mr. and Mrs. Max Proffitt
Bill & Julie Pumphrey
Robert J. Trulaske Jr. Family Foundation
Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation
Rotary Charities of Traverse City
Bruce and Betsy Wagner
Larry and Marcia Webb